Maharani Palace Fine Indian Cuisine & Bar

We stopped by Maharani Palace recently after hearing good recommendations for this place from our friends. The ambiance of the place is definitely a conversation starter! Very over the top decorations that definitely gives you the ambiance of a palace! But it somehow works here ❤️ Service was good and the food was good as well - much better than other Indian restaurants in the area! The dishes were very flavorful and each had a unique taste. Spice levels were good as well - specially for me since I cannot handle much spice! Definitely a good option for good North Indian food!

My first time dining at an authentic Indian restaurant and it was all around fantastic. From the food to the ambience to the service. I was not disappointed only impressed. Our waitress Mallika was very hospitable and she even walked us through the menu and explained the dishes with knowledgeable detail. Maharani has a loaded menu with lots of authentic dishes cooked in a variety of styles street, tandoori, and Indo Chinese. The food is made to order and served up with a cultural aesthetic the accentuates the overall experience. They welcome large parties and have plenty of space to accommodate lots of dinners. There’s a huge bar area and also some private dining rooms. Maharanis Palace is definitely 👍🏾 a must try highly recommended.

The best Indian food in all the DMV/NOVA area. 100/100 on food, flavor, service, & atmosphere. We tried a good variety of dishes tonight (didn’t get a picture of it all, but got most) and were pleased with everything we ordered! The mango lassi’s come in the cutest pineapple cup and they’re delicious. The staff is extremely attentive and super friendly. Their recommendations on dishes were great. Highly recommend. Definitely making this a regular spot for us!!

Everything was great from start to finish. We came in during a busy dinner rush — the parking lot was full and the whole floor was packed — but despite not having a reservation, we were seated immediately. As we were being walked to our table, we passed the bar and spotted Santa set up for photos, which was such a cute and unexpected touch. The decorations added to the festive feel without taking away from the main event: the food. The drinks were excellent, and the food was overall amazing — flavorful, comforting, and clearly why the place was so busy. The only small miss was the paneer pakora, which was a bit rubbery/tough, but everything else was easily a 10/10. Service was attentive and quick, especially considering how full the restaurant was. Overall, a great experience, and I’ll definitely be back to try lunch sometime.

Beautifully decorated: get transported to India upon entry. I brought my wife for her birthday and our wedding anniversary. They ensured us seating in a prime setting. Sudhir was our main waiter and his service was amazing: many different people assisted through out the meal. We had an appetizer, entree, they brought us a free desert and champagne, each had one drink as well as mango lassi. Needless to stay we were absolutely stuffed by the end with everything being delectable. There are a lot of Indian options in the area but Maharani shined above the others. Thanks for being a part of a social celebration and milestone for my wife and I.

Amazing experience visiting this place! They accommodated my family for my parents’ anniversary. I was very impressed with the menu and the service. Food flavors were amazing! Absolutely loved the choices! Great job team!

I came here with three friends for the lunch buffet, and almost nothing tasted good. The pani puri was cold, the dosa was okay, the vada was hard and dry, and the veg cutlet was soggy. The palak paneer had no flavor, the malai kofta was extremely sweet, and even the chicken tandoori was sweet. The rice in the chicken biryani was overcooked. The only thing that tasted good was the grapes. Paying $25 per person before tax felt way too expensive for this quality of food. I don’t understand how this place is still running. They even messed up the fennel seeds (saunf). Be careful if you plan to visit!

Absolutely divine and delightful food, bursting with flavor ! The ambience is spectacular, and the service top notch . We stopped here last as we were visiting and ,without a reservation and were welcomed warmly . Spice level was customized per our taste ! Thank you for a pleasant evening !We will be back for sure !

Took the family here and had a nice time. The place has good ambience, looks really nice inside- I wa impressed. We ordered some custom cocktails from their bar. They were a bit on the sweeter side but still pretty good. Food was excellent. We got the Gobi Manchurian, Chicken Vindaloo, Paneer Butter Masala, and some bread. Everything tasted great, really flavorful- tasted a bit different than the regular creamy texture with curries. The naan was definitely better than the roti, way softer and had better texture. Overall solid spot for Indian food if you're looking for something in the area. I would definitely be back to try other dishes.

Ambiance: Elegant and regal, with gold-toned accents that truly live up to the restaurant's name. Service was quick and attentive despite the weekend rush. Food: We went for the Saturday lunch buffet, and the place was buzzing. The live dosa station was a great start -- the masala dosa was crisp and paired beautifully with flavorful peanut and tomato chutneys. The tandoori chicken had good flavor, though a few pieces were a bit dry. The potato tikki and pakoras were delicious, and the pasta was surprisingly good -- I even went back for seconds! The navratan dal and kadhi pakora were both flavorful, and the naan was fresh and soft. The kadai egg was okay at best, but the chicken biryani stood out -- absolutely superb. For dessert, I tried the mango kheer, and it was divine -- creamy, fragrant, and perfectly sweet. I'd go back just for that alone! Hot and sour soup was bad! That was the only fail. Parking: Restaurant has ample reserved parking.

So as most places I find, I found this place on Tik Tok. I did hear alot of mixed things so I tried to go in with an open mind and it wasn't bad but wasn't great either. Vegetarian Friendly: Yup! being an Indian restaurant there are plenty of veg options to satisfy even the most pickest person. Decor: this has to be probably the best looking Indian restaurant in virginia and maybe on the east coast. There is no place that comes close to the beauty of this place. Food Breakdown: So my friends and I got a variety of items from Bombay Bhel, Paparad (complementary) Mango Lassi, Egg curry, Paneer Curry, Basil and Rosemary Naan. Food Highlights: So I want to say that I love everything I got fro the list above except for the Apps. Idk if its cause it was a Tuesday but it really didnt taste fresh| Egg Curry (3/5) Paneer (2/5). But I will say the Lassi (5/5), the Basil and Rosemary Naan (5/5), Bhel (4/5), Mango Cocktail (5/5) Portion Size: Was actually really good for the price. The price was high but the portion was also pretty good. Service: Amazing service. From the front host to the servers I really liked the people and had no issues. Price: It for sure is expensive. But doesn't try to hide what they are and the is no issue being expensive if that's what they are going for. Would I go Back: I would go back for the lassi, naan, drinks from the bar and try more apps. But the e ntre was sadly a miss but I would love to try it one more time maybe on a Friday and see if it gets better.

Weekday lunch buffet priced at $20 was a steal!! As you enter, u will be awed by the magnificent ambiance and friendly service. The buffet includes veg and non veg starters, main course, dessert and chai / naan served at table. Clean restrooms and clean cutlery with a huge space makes it perfect! The fruits and dal makhani were my favorites. Great value for money and loved all the north indian items :)

The decor of this place is amazing! It's really quite breathtaking and it is fairly large but still gets crowded on the weekends. We got a couple of delicious cocktails, the spinach chaat, and tandoori items. The portions were generous and delicious. Because it was close to Indian Independence Day, we also got complimentary champagne. The service was also amazing. 10/10.

The interior of this restaurant was one of the best that I have ever seen. It was decorated so nicely and the staff was very kind. We ordered the chicken biryani and chicken tiki masala with yogurt. It was very delicious and a bit spicy, even though we got medium. The owner was very kind and made sure we felt welcomed as this was our first time here. The mango lassi is amazing and everything was presented nicely.

So happy to have Maharani in our town. We have been craving for good Indian place and on top it's a place to celebrate special occasion We had them for our son's graduation party and everyone was talking about where the food is from. Amazing job done by the team Thank you Maharani for making our event a super hit

Pretty tasty! Great selection of entrees! Service was great, very attentive, especially for a buffet! The place is very decorated and fun to look around during your visit! A little pricey for a buffet did me only because I don't eat a ton! But well worth it for my teenage boys!

An Indian restaurant with a wow factor! The outside looks a bit plain, with some elaborate elephants and font, but once inside the restaurant, it's a whole different vibe. The decoration gives off upscale/ bougie vibes...I mean, look at the chairs and decor on the wall!! The restaurant is very clean and well-maintained. There is a large buffet full of both veg and non-veg dishes/curries, as well as a decent/big selection of desserts. I definitely enjoyed the butter chicken, tandoori chicken and desserts. I personally am used to spicy South Indian food and typical/common North Indian curries, so some of these curries/flavors were new to me. There were a few items I absolutely didn't enjoy because of this--the chicken biryani (as they used some different spices) and the raita (yogurt) which had a weird taste because of the spices they added. The masala coffee/tea were included with the buffet. At the end of the meal, they provide a spice packet in nice packaging matching their emblem. Luckily, it wasn't busy when we arrived, we were seated immediately. Upon seating, we were able to start at the buffet. I loved the elaborate decorations, presentation of the food and the overall ambiance of the food. The staff were very attentive and nice. We didn't have to wait or motion to them, instead, they came around and asked if we needed anything. There is plenty of parking in front of the restaurant. Would I return? Possibly, only because I prefer Indian buffets where I can choose my own items and know what I'm selecting.

Went to Maharani Palace with my mom (her name is literally Maharani. couldn't be more perfect) and my sister, and we had such a good time. We ordered three mains to share: butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, and goat curry. All came with rice (you'll probably want to ask for an extra bowl if you're big rice people). Everything was so flavorful and the portions were great for sharing. My personal favorites were the butter chicken. creamy and rich and the lamb rogan josh. Heads up: the lamb is pretty spicy, but if you like heat it's totally worth it. Drinks were fun! we tried the mango lassi, guava cooler, mirchi margarita, and pama cosmo. All were super refreshing, and the mirchi marg had a nice little kick. ( not my favorite) Only thing I'd call out is that the owner kind of rushed us off at the end (I think there was a wait). Not a huge deal, but it did feel a bit hurried. Overall though, loved the vibe and the food. definitely a spot I'd come back to for a family night or when I'm craving really good Indian food.

Maharani Palace's excellent reviews and stunning ambiance led my parents to try this restaurant for a group dinner. Based on the good experience they encountered, my wife and I decided to try this Herndon restaurant's food for a takeout dinner. Maharani Palace is housed in an unassuming building, but upon entering I was struck by the palatial feel of the space and the shimmering metallic and crystal accents, both of which felt special occasion worthy. My order was ready on arrival and neatly packaged in branded containers as well as a reusable tote bag, nice touches befitting the royal vibes. Each of our dishes cost around $25 each. While I have no issue paying this much for Indian food, at this price point the food should be essentially flawless. While each of the three items we ordered tasted great and had very flavorful base curries, the meats themselves lacked finesse. The butter chicken gravy ran a touch sweet for my personal liking, but nonetheless was enjoyable and certainly within the acceptable range for this specific dish. We appreciated the prominent tomato and methi flavors. The chunks of tandoori chicken in the dish themselves, unfortunately, ran a touch dry. Ditto for the lamb saagwalla, whose creamy and piquant spinach sauce was betrayed by slightly stringy lamb. We also highly enjoyed the smoky and complex kadhai curry and found the bone-in chicken juicy and well seasoned, but the pieces themselves were cut very poorly such that we found small, jagged pieces of bone in many bites. This felt very sloppy, is potential hazardous, and is not something we encounter even at much cheaper places. On the plus side, the garlic naans had an ideal fluffy/chewy texture with a good tandoor char, the curries weren't overly heavy, and the portions were big enough to yield a full meal's worth of leftovers for both me and my wife. The high pricing and some execution issues will make us less likely to return for takeout. That being said, we enjoyed our food overall and feel that the excellent interior ambiance may merit a trip for dine-in or the well-regarded lunch buffet. The food earned 4 stars, but my overall rating is reduced to three due to the prices and poor bone in chicken preparation.

Maharani Palace is BEAUTIFULLY decorated!!! We had never tried Indian food before so when I discovered they had a buffet we were sold. What better way to try a little bit of everything to find out what you do and do not like? We thoroughly enjoyed our experience but I didn't find something I just have to have again or will crave and need to go back. That and the lack of warm & friendly waiter & manager is why I didn't give this experience 5 stars.

Maharani Palace has the best lunch buffet in NoVa. With beautiful interior and ample dining space, with friendly service! I will be going as often as I can for their lunch buffet! I don't even know where to start with their food selections because all are very flavorful and delicious! I got each dish and my plate was so full I had to go back for second and third plate to be able to try everything they have out. Some of the dishes I really like are palak(spinach), butter chicken, tandoori, paneer, pav bhaji, chaat, samosa, vindaloo, salad with yogurt dressing, desserts and so much more! Everything is delicious here and no need for extra explanations, you just gotta go and try it yourself. I had great experience and I recommend Maharani Palace! Especially if you have a big group of family or friends with you. Their lunch buffet does get busy and very crowded all throughout on weekends, 11:30am-3:00pm. I do recommend making a reservation a few days ahead for weekends.

Service- 5/5 Ambience- 5/5 Food- 2/5 Drinks- 2/5 Wonderful concept, owners with a big heart, but food and drink quality has a long way to go.. Went here for dinner last night for a special occassion. Was dazzled by the decor and welcome. Ordered mocktails Kiwi mint, Chili Margarita and Mango mojito, all of them super sweet. For appetizer we had Ragada patties, which came out cold and had little flavor. Entree Chili paneer tasted like it came out of a can, Malai kofta was again sweet. Methi paratha was crisp. At this point free champagne and Gulab jamuns were distributed to all.. Here's what I found..There is great intent and good heart, but if food quality and flavor is not top notch, longevity is a challenge. Giving a subpar review is hard, but feedback is the only way to improve. Do better, Maharani!

We came to try this restuarant for my mom's birthday after some friends recommend it, complementing the interior decoration and vibes. Ambiance: Stepping into this restuarant was like entering an exquisite palace where traditional Indian craftsmanship meets contemporary elegance. The shimmering chandeliars effortlessly fuses in with the black, gold, and maroon color scheme, further enhancing the ambiance. Food: We were started off with complimentary papad with tamarind and green chutney. Appetizer: - We orderd the samosas, which were warm and flavorful, but didn't come with chutney - so we asked for it were given tamarind and green chutney. (5/5) Main Course: - Paneer Butter Masala: taste was spot on, however I would've prefered the paneer cubes to be a little softer, and the paneer to gravy ratio could've been a little more balanced - there was too much paneer. (4.5/5) - Lababdar Malai Kofta: taste was really good, however in this case, the kofta to gravy ratio could've been more balanced by having one additional kofta (4.5/5) - Daal-E-Khaas: taste was really good, however this one was spicier then the other two, despite the fact that we had ordered medium spice level (out of mild, medium, and spicy). (4.5/5) - Garlic naan: was buttery, soft, and crispy (5/5) - Rice came with the sabzis, and was good. There were whole cardamom pods in the rice, which I thought was odd, but not an issue. (5/5) - Mango Lassi: I appreciated the creaminess and sweetness of the lassi, probably one of the best I've had. I also liked the fact that it came in pineapple shaped and textured glass (5/5) Service: - Service was really good. I was surprised, almost caught off guard at how fast the main course came out. I don't believe I have seen food come out so quickly at an Indian restaurant. - The owner came in and checked in on us "since we were new faces", and after finding out it was my mom's birthday, insisted on bringing out cake and a sweet (halwa) on the house. - Our server, Madhuri was super professional and great during our time. At the end, she brought out the cake and even sang happy birthday - which really made it even more special. I had low expectations going in due to people saying this place was good for the vibes and not really the food, but my experience was on the contrary. The food was great and I definitely will be coming again.

I haven't been to an Indian buffet since pre-covid but Maharani exceeded all my expectations and more. The interior is ornate and spacious - I could hardly believe this used to be a pizzeria. They have several areas that you can rent out for a private event and they do get quite busy during peak hours. I tried so many different dishes and I found the taste and quality to be too notch. The hot foods were kept hot and the cold foods were chilled appropriately. Furthermore, the buffet area was kept clean and well stocked. I definitely will return!

The food here is crafted to suit a wide range of tastes--not overly spicy, still packed with the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. Some of my favorites include the vegetable mixed bean sour soup, goat curry, and biryani. The desserts are the perfect way to end a meal--not too sweet, but just the right balance, and I always look forward to them. As for the atmosphere, the interior is warm and welcoming, and the staff is exceptional. The waiters really make you feel taken care of.

I'm so glad my friend recommended this place for Indian buffet, it was incredible! Upon entering, I was struck with the intricate gold decor. The servers were extra attentive, and the food selection was the biggest I've seen. I got a little bit of everything and it was all so tasty. Their popsicles were delicious and super creamy. I wanted to go again the very next day!

Maharani Palace offers a nice setting and a wide selection for their lunch buffet. The exterior of this old Fuddruckers (and then Mellow Mushroom) has been redone to evoke scenes from India. Upon entering, I was struck by the immersive decor. Some might consider it gaudy while others, stately. In either case, it's definitely immersive. The staff was attentive and as we were being seated, they pointed us toward the buffet area. There were about two dozen dishes on offer, including desserts. Here are a few that I can remember: gol gappa, vegetable pakoda, paneer 65, mixed grill (ground lamb kabob and tandoori chicken), fish curry, goat curry, butter chicken, yellow lentils, chicken biryani, naan and roti, and aloo gobi. I'm missing quite a few and was stuffed after two plates. There's enough here for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. All the dishes were flavorful and fresh. There was a steady stream of customers during this Friday lunch. The cost was $23.99. It seems a bit expensive, so I'd reserve this for slightly special occasions rather than a weekly office lunch outing.

Had the pleasure of going opening day. transformation of this location is amazing. Very opulent interiors. They had a lot of staff wandering about to ensure all were attended to. They offered both their menu or the buffet at lunch. We opted to do the buffet as it was huge and would allow us to sample numerous dishes. I realized I forgot to write down the Indian names of everything.... On this particular day there were options of lamb, fish, multiple chicken items plus numerous vegetable dishes! Everything was tasty and some were recipes I've never had. Luv this isn't the typical standard fare but amazing chef creations! My favs were the paneer with green peas, the kidney bean salad, and the lamb! Hubby had seconds of the cauliflower so I'm going to assume his fav. Like most buffets I have no clue yet what will be their staple or rotating items. They have a full bar... hubby opted for a kingfisher beer. I had a delicious mango lassi. And yes dessert also on the buffet. My fav was the rice pudding while hubby enjoyed the various fruits available. Looking forward to future visits not only for the extensive buffet but to work thru the items on the menu!

Unique Indian experience. Restaurant decorations make you feel like you've left NOVA and are eating true Indian Cuisine. The hospitality from entrance to exit is truly top notch. You feel welcomed and at home...our server was excellent. The food was a touch disappointing but overall good. We got the Chaat Papri (A), Veg Samosa (A), Butter Chicken (B), Chicken Vindaloo (B). Prices are a bit high...especially for entrees...but service is so good it makes up for the pricing.

Love visiting this restaurant they have buffets at lunch everyday of the week, we love to go on the weekends the food always tastes fresh, they replace food quickly too. I am surprised that each and every dish is fantastic, and has a unique flavor my go to dishes are the shahi paneer, the tandoori chicken pieces and the pav bhaji I could eat them everyday. And yes they have a changing mat for the little ones in the rest room, so I can bring them along too.

Came for quick lunch during work week. Fantastic service! Food is excellent! Setting and vibe are on point! Definitely coming back with my family!

I really wanted to like this place but the experience did not land for me. The food had potential because the spices were present, but everything tasted flat and was served lukewarm, which made it feel like it had been sitting out too long. The butter chicken leaned too sweet, the naan was chewy instead of soft and warm, and the overall meal felt rushed even though the service was slow. We waited nearly thirty minutes for our order and had to ask for basic things like water refills. The atmosphere was pleasant but not enough to make up for the inconsistency, and the visit ended up feeling underwhelming.

Exceptional establishment, life-enriching experience, and I'm not even being dramatic. The grub was so insane that I'm pretty sure I heard my taste buds singing in harmony. The staff were total rockstars. Everyone was super duper attentive, making for a birthday celebration that was legit unforgettable. The management team was ridiculously warm and fuzzy, ensuring an experience that was nothing short of phenomenal. And, they even gave the birthday girl a fancy toast, because, why not, it's not every day you turn another year older. We all tried different drinks as well and none disappointed. The decor was straight out of a design magazine, taking the experience to a whole new level. I'll definitely be back for more. The menu is crazy diverse, so you'll probably find something that'll make your taste buds do the happy dance, or at least the chicken dance. 5 stars!

This place was so beautiful! It's was like being transported to some beautiful place in India where royalties eat. The food was amazing too. We had the buffet and there were so many options to choose from. Everything was delicious. The service was great. Everyone looked happy to work there and happy to serve us. The manager also came over to greet us and offered for us to try the dosa which was also very good. The cost was average which made it even more worth it. We would definitely go again and we're thinking of brining our out of town guests in the future.

It was great ambiance and service with tasty food. The prices are a bit high and could be maybe thought again

Fish curry was sooooo good. Loved the garlic naan and lamb stuffed naan. My boyfriend's butter chicken was the best butter chicken I have ever had. Shrimp appetizer was amazing too, and I loved the smoked old-fashioned which our waiter presented with great flair. Eunick was the greatest waiter. He answered questions well and was very friendly. He even gave us some complimentary prosecco and a dessert. One criticism the date-tamarind chutney is way too sweet, please increase the amount of tamarind by a lot.

Amazing experience!! Food is great and if you shy away after looking at prices, don't. Food is good and portions are generous. I've only done take out but wanna dine in one day. Buffet looks amazing as well. They were so nice and offered chai to me while I waited for the food.

"Maharani: A Night of Misplaced Hopes and Mismanaged Cocktails" The scene was set: Maharani, the place we'd heard glowing things about from friends. The hype was real, and we were ready to indulge. With reservations for 7 pm (thanks to our foodie friends), we arrived on time, feeling all fancy and excited for some epic Indian food and drinks. Cue the Ambiance: Let me give credit where it's due--the decor was a solid 5/5. It's probably the best Indian interior I've seen in ages, like a little Bollywood set with mood lighting. The place was buzzing, packed, full of promise... until reality checked in. Act One: The Waiting Begins Water? Arrives in 10 minutes--a slow drip for what we hoped would be an epic night. Then, 7:25 pm rolls around, and finally, we're asked for our orders. It's a Friday, and we're here to wind down, not wind up. So, we throw in our drink orders: ++ Non-alcoholic Mirchi Margarita ++ Aam Panna ++ And two Angel's Envy on the big rock (because we like our bourbon smooth, cool, and classy). But what arrived? A loaded tequila-packed Mirchi Margarita--yes, the non-alcoholic drink had a heavy-handed party crasher. I guess the bartender wanted us to loosen up... a little too much. They literally dipped a straw in to taste test (because why not?) and admitted their mistake. 20 minutes later, it finally returns, sober this time. Meanwhile, our Angel's Envy bourbons? The big rocks were now half-melted. Check the pic for evidence of ice abuse. $16 for a drink, and they serve it like this? ‍ Now, for bourbon drinkers like us, let me break it down: For $16, I'd like to at least know what I'm drinking. Is this the standard Angel's Envy, or are we talking about something more premium, like the Cask Strength that sits at around $90 a bottle? Or maybe the Sherry Cask or Cellar Collection, which are much rarer and hit the $250 mark? There's a big difference between these and a standard pour. If you're going to charge a premium, at least give us transparency on what's being poured. Bourbon lovers don't just drink--we experience it. So, give us the full story upfront! Act Two: VIPs and the Not-So-VIPs Here's where it gets extra interesting. The Caucasian crowd next to us? Drinks in 5 minutes. Free papad to munch on like it's a casual Friday ritual. My friend had to ask for the papad. Another table behind us? Same VIP treatment. I'm not asking for a red carpet, but come on, at least make it feel fair. Is this a Friday-night mismanagement issue, or was I wearing invisibility cloaks? Act Three: Appetizers--The Good, The Bad, and the Unwashed ++ Chicken 65: A serious disappointment. Some pieces had that funky, "Was this even washed?" smell. You know the one I'm talking about. Two bites in, and I was done. My friends enjoyed it though--maybe I'm just cursed with good taste (or taste, period, lol). ++ Pani Puri: Meh. It was there, but nothing to brag about. ++ Jodhpur Pyaz Kachori: Star of the show. Crisp, flavorful, and the unanimous winner among the appetizers. Finale: The Mains--Where Did It Go Wrong? We went for the big hitters: ++ Lahori Seekh Kabab: Well-spiced and tasty, but not earth-shattering. ++ Tandoori Chicken: Actually really good--juicy, succulent, and flavorful. Not quite the authentic Delhi-style, but definitely a highlight. ++ Gobi Manchurian: Decent, but again, nothing exciting. ++ Noodles: Overcooked. Enough said. Just a mushy mess of what could've been. Intermission Hero: The Waitress to the Rescue ‍ Midway through the meal, our waitress finally stepped up to the plate. She realized things weren't going great and made a noticeable effort to speed things up. Drinks started arriving faster, and she really worked hard to save what was left of the evening. Huge kudos to her! Because of her effort, I'm throwing in an extra star. Final Verdict: Would I Go Back? Maharani, you had potential. The decor, the vibe--it started off so strong. The tandoori chicken and the hard-working waitress were bright spots in an otherwise chaotic night. But between the mismanaged drinks, inconsistent food, and questionable service, I walked out thinking, this was not $300 well spent. 2 stars--one for the ambiance, one for the waitress. The rest? Time to find my Friday night fun elsewhere.

Went there for buffet lunch for my daughter's graduation (she loves Indian food) and had a great time! Food was good and there's a great selection to choose from. The place is also really beautiful. The only turn off for us is when the waiter and the manager (?) was pushing us to write a review on them. Insisting that we scan the QR code and do it right there. No need to do that-that's very tacky. If people enjoy the food and like the service they will write a review on their own...

Went for the lunch buffet ($24). The food was fresh and the tandoori chicken was moist. They had a full dessert bar and appetizers. Would definitely recommend.

A great anniversary dinner with family! Service was attentive and pleasant. Thank you Madhuri! Management was so gracious and greeted us afterwards. Food was delicious! Spice was on point and the naan was nice and fluffy.

Everything went great although the reservation goes for 2 and above. Ambiance, service and food are excellent.

We ordered carryout and the food was excellent! The paneer was buttery soft, as was the naan. I especially liked the Paneer 65 appetizer, crispy with great spices.

We had dinner at Maharani Palace on our wedding anniversary and had a very pleasant and royal experience. The food was rich, tasty and traditional. The staff was extremely welcoming and attentive. The decor was rich with colors and flavors of royal Rajasthan yet, some places too busy. The whole experience was very enjoyable. We very much recommend this restaurant.

Went for a Friday lunch buffet. The service was great and the food was full of flavor. Nice interior design decor.

Pros Ambiance is great you will feel you are in India such a great vibe amazing music amazing decor and amazing staff Service was excellent I enjoyed the service Food quality was very good finally I got the real taste of Roti here We had purani Dilli kaa chicken curry 2 Kadam rotis Rice Kheer (rice pudding) It was the food for the soul Cons This is fine dining and so rates are very high and folks can travel maybe once a month not always

I don't want to use plastic plate. And also, need more vegetable items. I never use black color napkin. Everything is good !

Nicely decorated space, super attentive and courteous service. Smiles and helpfulness from every staff member we encountered, and the manager even stopped by to chat. Very large selection of dishes for the lunch buffet, which is available during the weekdays, and the price is reasonable. Incredible value for great food and service!

If you're looking for a flavorful buffet experience, Maharani Palace is a hidden gem that truly delivers ! The buffet spread on weekends is impressive--both in variety and quality. What really makes Maharani Palace stand out is the balance between traditional flavor and buffet convenience. I will be coming back soon.

Great Diwali menu. Don't miss the pani puri, it is not with the appetizers. Management should consider placing appetizers, including Paani puri, where the desserts are and moving the desserts to where the Paani puri is currently served.

What a great place. The decor is obviously very eye-catching, but the level of meticulous detail in presentation and service match the impressiveness. We came for the lunch buffet, and I recommend coming earlier in the 11:30-2:30 window because it can get busy and there is a small line to get your food plate. Every day the lunch menu changes - during my visit I really enjoyed the veg pakora, corn saag, tikka masala, chicken biryani, pani puri, daal, and halwa. I've never seen pani puri included in Indian buffets ! The food was so tasty, flavorful, well-spiced. I saw the kitchen regularly refreshing the trays. A whole variety of desserts were available; I personally liked the fresh fruit and carrot halwa best. When I say the service was good, I mean it was on a different level: you do not need to call anyone over ever, your water glass is regularly topped and plates cleared so fast. The manager came by and we had nothing but good things to say. Another detail is that the bathrooms were clean and each stall had a set of cleaning tools and its own small lidded trashcan.

Food was very good. A lot of choices. The restaurant is very pretty. I loved the colors and the way it was decorated.

Nice buffett fresh good variety and the manager MPwas so sweet ! Great service we came with a group some ordered off the menu some got the buffet everyone seemed to enjoy their food .

The food was DELICIOUS!!! The ambience was also very pretty! I had the butter chicken, garlic naan, paneer 65 and a mango mojito. Zero complaints! The staff were extremely accommodating to our party of 8. Even the children were treated with patience. We will be back!!

An amazing transformation from what was a Fudruckers the Mellow Mushoom, into one of the best Indian restaurants in the DC area. Located near historic downtown Herndon, VA Maharani Palace serves a wide variety of traditional dishes from across India as well as dishes with updated twists. They have some great signature cocktails, the Mirchi Margarita is fantastic if you like a little spice! My wife loved the raspberry sangria. They are very accomodatiing if you have special needs and have both vegetarian and vegan options. Highly recommended!

We had reservations at 1:30 We showed up at 1:30 They had table but offered to walked in people instead of giving to us Made us wait for almost 30 minutes Gave the worst table far away from buffet which required us climb stairs. Front desk people are awful Why bother taking reservations when you can't keep it Worst experience ever

Food Is Okay. Ambience is Amazing, Service is Amazing. Wish they have more variety in buffet